Audit has confirmed scam in pension scheme: Haryana CM

NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday said an audit report has confirmed a scam in the distribution of social security pension scheme for elderly people in the state. Expressing concern over the report, Khattar said his government would probe the list of beneficiaries of the pension scheme before announcing enhanced pension.

Replying to the governor’s address to the assembly on the second day of the session here, Khattar told the house: “There are reports indicating major irregularities in the prevailing system of distribution of social security pension.” “The audit reports confirm that a scam involving Rs.4.5 crore has been unearthed in Karnal district alone. The reports also reveal that there are 12,000 such beneficiaries who have not even filled up the application forms.”

He said the state government will evolve an effective mechanism for the distribution of old age pension among the beneficiaries. “For this, new list of eligible beneficiaries would be prepared. Bank accounts of all the households were to be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojna and the beneficiaries would get pension directly in their accounts. In case the bank account is found bogus, the concerned bank would be held responsible,” he said.

“We are firm to enhance the old age pension and would spell out plan to enhance the pension in the next budget session,” he said. Khattar told the house that the government will bring out a White Paper on the financial position of the state before the next budget.